Two guest lecturers from the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group South West (FWAG SW) have visited Level 3 Agriculture students studying at Bridgwater & Taunton College (BTC).

The expert guest lecturers were provided by Lauren Clarke, Senior Farm Environment Advisor, and spoke on key topics including; The Role of FWAG, Countryside Stewardship, Environmental and Land Management Scheme (ELMS), Water Quality & Flood Management and Soil Health. Lauren also toured the students around BTC’s Rodway Farm while explaining all the projects which FWAG has been advising on, including the current Mid-Tier Countryside Stewardship Application.

Tom Cunningham, Curriculum Manager for Agriculture, Food and Land Management said

We are hugely grateful for Lauren’s input through these guest lecturers, which contributes towards key units within the Level 3 programme. These engaging sessions broadened the student’s mindsets of Agri-Environment schemes and highlighted the ecological, environmental, and economical benefits. This is such an important topic for learners to be exploring and we are thankful for our strong links with industry, which allow for expert-led session such as these.

He continued

Agriculture is changing and as such we have a responsibility to ensure that our learners develop the knowledge and skills to be successful in this ever-evolving industry. Learners will develop an appreciation for the environment and learn how modern agriculture will go together with environmental management and conservation in the future. The introduction of the Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS) is going to present both challenges and opportunities for farmers and landowners to adapt working practices to continue farming both sustainably and profitably, and as such our students will be at the forefront of these developments.

The Level 3 Agriculture course covers a wide range of technical units including Managing Agricultural Enterprises & Business Improvement, Selection, Use & Management of Machinery, Livestock Health & Diseases, Livestock Production and Managing the Agricultural Environment. For more information, see the Level 3 Extended Diploma Agriculture or come to our next Cannington campus open event.